Planning For Transit That Protects Air Quality

The Federal government could help communities better plan for transportationthat protects air quality.

1 minute read

August 2, 2002, 10:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The General Accounting Office (GAO) has released the following testimony: "Environmental Protection: The Federal Government Could Help Communities Better Plan for Transportation That Protects Air Quality." GAO-02-988T: "Recognizing that transportation can affect the nation’s efforts to improve air quality, theCongress has provided funds for projects that protect air quality. Now, as the Congressbegins the work of reauthorizing the surface transportation programs,2 it will have toconsider whether to continue or revise these initiatives. To help inform this work, weare commenting on (1) the impacts of surface transportation on air quality; (2) thebenefits and limits of key federal surface transportation and clean air requirements andprograms designed to mitigate these impacts; and (3) ways the federal government canuse these requirements and programs to further reduce these impacts." Editor's note: the link below is to an Adobe PDF document.

Thanks to Sprawl Watch

Thursday, August 1, 2002 in U.S. General Accounting Office

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today